Dash fall to Thorns in inaugural match

Jose de Jesus Ortiz

Updated 11:48 pm, Saturday, April 12, 2014

The Houston Dash had just lost their inaugural match, and hardly anybody would have blamed Becky Edwards and her teammates if they had moped back to the locker room immediately after the final whistle Saturday night.The Dash pushed the defending National Women's Soccer League champion Portland Thorns, dominating for large portions of the match while creating several great scoring opportunities. Yet not long after losing 1-0, the Dash showed their appreciation for the vibrant sellout crowd of 8,097 at scaled down BBVA Compass Stadium.

Dripping in sweat and limping in some cases, the Dash headed toward all parts of the stadium to greet their fans. They signed autographs, gave hugs and posed for pictures. When handed smart phones, they even turned around and took selfies with the crowd.

In other words, the first National Women's Soccer League game in Houston history was unlike any other soccer match ever held in the Bayou City.

"We mingle with the fans, (take) lots of selfies, so I think that's another part of our job," Edwards said. "Promoting the game, even after a loss, it's something we have to do."

Houston Dash #26 Nikki Washington runs the ball down the field against Portland Thorns FC during the game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Houston Dash #26 Nikki Washington runs the ball down the field against Portland Thorns FC during the game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Kenny Halligan of Sugar Land gives the Houston Dynamo mascot Diesel a fist bump as his daughter Adley, 8 looks on before the Houston Dash vs. Portland Thorns FC game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Kenny Halligan of Sugar Land gives the Houston Dynamo mascot Diesel a fist bump as his daughter Adley, 8 looks on before the Houston Dash vs. Portland Thorns FC game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Brad Davis Captain of the Houston Dynamos gives Katie Koehler, 12 a high five as her sisters Courtney, 10, and Lauren, 6 look on after they kicked the ceremonial first kick before the Houston Dash vs. Portland Thorns FC game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14. less

Brad Davis Captain of the Houston Dynamos gives Katie Koehler, 12 a high five as her sisters Courtney, 10, and Lauren, 6 look on after they kicked the ceremonial first kick before the Houston Dash vs. Portland ... more

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Houston Dash #8 Jordan Jackson slides to kick the ball as Portland Thorns FC #12 Christine Sinclair tries to gain control of the ball during game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Houston Dash #8 Jordan Jackson slides to kick the ball as Portland Thorns FC #12 Christine Sinclair tries to gain control of the ball during game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Houston Dash #14 Becky Edwards battles for the ball against Portland Thorns FC #12 Christine Sinclair during the game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Houston Dash #14 Becky Edwards battles for the ball against Portland Thorns FC #12 Christine Sinclair during the game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Houston Dash #14 Becky Edwards battles for the ball against Portland Thorns FC #12 Christine Sinclair during the game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Houston Dash #14 Becky Edwards battles for the ball against Portland Thorns FC #12 Christine Sinclair during the game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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The Houston Dash line up block the ball as the Portland Thorns FC tries to kick the ball in during the game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

The Houston Dash line up block the ball as the Portland Thorns FC tries to kick the ball in during the game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Houston Dash goalie Erin McLeod blocks the ball during the game against the Portland Thorns FC at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Houston Dash goalie Erin McLeod blocks the ball during the game against the Portland Thorns FC at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Houston Dash fans Tim and Janet Hurley of Bay City, Tx show their support before the game against the Portland Thorns FC at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Houston Dash fans Tim and Janet Hurley of Bay City, Tx show their support before the game against the Portland Thorns FC at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Houston Dash fans cheer during the game against the Portland Thorns FC at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Houston Dash fans cheer during the game against the Portland Thorns FC at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Houston Dash fans Travis and Shandar Hobbs of Alvin, Tx. watch the game against Portland Thorns FC at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Houston Dash fans Travis and Shandar Hobbs of Alvin, Tx. watch the game against Portland Thorns FC at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Houston Dash fans show their support for the Dash during the game against the Portland Thorns FC at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Houston Dash fans show their support for the Dash during the game against the Portland Thorns FC at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Houston Dash #20 Osinachi Ohale streaches out trying to keep control of the ball against Portland Thorns FC during the game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Houston Dash #20 Osinachi Ohale streaches out trying to keep control of the ball against Portland Thorns FC during the game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Houston Dash goalie Erin McLeod points to her players before kicking the ball back into play during the game against the Portland Thorns FC at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Houston Dash goalie Erin McLeod points to her players before kicking the ball back into play during the game against the Portland Thorns FC at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Houston Dash #26 Nikki Washington keeps control of the ball against the Portland Thorns FC during the game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Houston Dash #26 Nikki Washington keeps control of the ball against the Portland Thorns FC during the game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Houston Dash #26 Nikki Washington keeps control of the ball against the Portland Thorns FC during the game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Houston Dash #26 Nikki Washington keeps control of the ball against the Portland Thorns FC during the game at the BBVA Compass Stadium, 04/12/14.

Photo: Kim Christensen

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Dash fall to Thorns in inaugural match

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Opening night

If opening night was any indication, the Dash could ultimately become one of the most successful franchises in NWSL, which is entering its second season and trying to avoid the fate that befell the previous two American women's pro soccer leagues.

Although the Dash limited tickets to the lower bowl and only one section of the upper bowl at BBVA Compass Stadium, the crowd easily surpassed the attendance average of 4,270 that the NWSL had in its inaugural 2013 season.

Without Portland's 13,320 average attendance last year, the NWSL's average was actually 2,978 for the other seven teams in the league.

"I thought it was unbelievable," Dash captain goalkeeper Erin McLeod said. "To have this many thousands of people show up speaks volumes about the city and about how much support there is behind women's soccer.

"To play the reigning champion and do as well as we did, that game could have gone either way, so I'm extremely proud of our first performance together. We really fought for one another.""

New level of thinking

Pony tails swaying above their youth club jerseys, hundreds of girls scampered into the stadium ready to watch a bit of history. Others strolled in with their entire families decked out in matching space city blue or orange Dash jerseys.

Most of the folks in the crowd were girls or young ladies, and almost all of them stomped their feet and cheered loudly until the final whistle.

"It's really exciting because it shows that women are as tough as men and can compete at the same level as men," said Kingwood Park High senior forward Vanessa Valadez, who has a scholarship to play soccer at SMU next year. "It gives girls a new level to think about that they can actually play."

Allie Long gave Portland a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute, scaling over defender Holly Hein to head Jessica McDonald's long throw-in inside the far post. Although they played nine of the first 15 minutes down a woman and eventually lost central midfielder Brittany Bock with a knee injury and forward Kealia Ohai with an ankle injury, the Dash had several good chances to score.

Dash midfielder Jordan Jackson fired high above the crossbar from close range in the 11th minute. Stephanie Ochs airmailed a shot over the crossbar from close range in the 77th minute.

"I'm really, really proud of the group," Dash coach Randy Waldrum said. "I'm too competitive to be happy with losing, so I'm not happy about that. I'm disappointed. I thought we deserved at least a point, but to be honest I thought we were better today and had better chances."

Thrilling finish

With seconds remaining until the final whistle, Edwards sent a roar through the crowd in stoppage time when she chested the ball into the back of the net. She was ruled off-side, though, and the game ended a few seconds later.

Despite the disappointment, the Dash cooled down on the pitch for 10 minutes and then headed toward the stands to greet their fans.

"I know growing up I had a lot of male role models and I didn't have any female role models," McLeod said. "It's incredible to come to these games and to see whether it's a (Alex) Morgan or (Christine) Sinclair or McLeod on the back of their jersey, I think all of us take that role very seriously because we're honored to be role models."